Cement Production To Reach 3.4 Billion Tons

Global production of cement is estimated at 2.7 billion tons in 2007 and should reach 3.4 billion tons by 2010, according to a report from Materials Technology

Global production of cement is estimated at 2.7 billion tons in 2007 and should reach 3.4 billion tons by 2010, according to a report from Materials Technology Publications. ìThe Cement Industry in Europe and the Middle East,î an in-depth study and forecast of the cement industry and end-use markets, indicates that countries in the European Union produced 283 million tons of cement or 10.5% of world production in 2007.

Growth in the global industry will arise from an additional 648 million tons of capacity scheduled to come online by 2010, much of it destined for China and the Middle East. Chinese production of cement was estimated at 1.24 billion tons in 2007, a 14.5% jump from the previous year, and a three-fold increase from 1995. Cement production in Asian countries is currently more than three times the combined production of the rest of the world. It is predicted that, by 2012, Chinese cement production will reach 1.83 billion tons, equaling 54% of global output.

In its analysis of key market forces driving the industry, the report shows that trends in consumption indicate strong growth in European countries, particularly in Spain and in Eastern European nations such as Poland and Romania, regions that boast large infrastructure and housing programs. An unprecedented construction boom in the Middle East will push demand for cement in that region from 144 million tons in 2007 to 180 million tons by 2010, the report says. The largest producers in the Middle East are found in Egypt and Iran, which produced 37.1 million and 35.8 million tons respectively in 2006. For additional information and study details, go to www.cementreports.com.